Each admissions cycle families ask me to recommend books on higher education and the college admissions process. Here are a few 2022 releases I look forward to reading this year: The Real World of College: What Higher Education Is and What It Can Be by Wendy...
As high school seniors put the final touches on their college applications, and the 2021-2022 application season winds down, attention quickly turns to juniors. What can they expect for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle? Here are some early trends: The future of standardized testing remains in...
High school guidance counselors and independent college consultants often talk with students about finding colleges that are good “fits” for them. The message behind “fit” is that students should choose colleges where they will be challenged academically, engaged in extracurricular activities, and happy socially rather...
Many high school seniors have just submitted their early applications. While exciting, this can also be anxiety producing - hitting “submit” for the first time means letting go of the application and turning the process over to colleges. It’s impossible to eliminate all stress and...
When my students build their college list, we start with criteria that is important to them in their college experience. One criterion is on-campus versus off-campus living: do students want a four-year residential college experience, or do they want to live off campus after their...
In the next few weeks, students will decide whether to apply to colleges “early.” This can be a confusing decision, so to help cut through the chatter here are some basics that can help students and families clarify whether an early option is the right...
Paying for college may be my least favorite topic in college admissions, but it may also be the most important. When finding colleges that are good fits for my students, we always address affordability – because a college that is a great academic and social...
As the summer turns to fall, and high school students are fully immersed in classes and activities, parents often ask what their students should be doing “for college” at each grade level. The first two years of high school are an important time for students. Students...
Recently, the mother of one of my students casually mentioned that her child intended to apply to 20 colleges. My eyes widened, but luckily, I caught myself before blurting out, “no, that’s too many!” So, how many colleges should a student apply to? Before determining how...
As rising seniors spend time this summer writing their personal statements, crafting their application, and refining their college list, parents can sometimes feel a bit sidelined. But parents have an important role to play in empowering their students as they apply to college – and...